Should students still make a physical visual aid? Teaching speech, a necessity is for students to know how to create a visual aid. Many schools do have access to electronic programs…
Character Colors
Character colors can be a fast and meaningful addition to literature discussions. True story: my class and I reviewed The Hunger Games. We highlighted important characteristics and actions of the…
Teaching the Writing Process by Writing With Your Students
Although I implement dozens of worksheets and tools when I create middle school lesson plans and high school lesson plans, I’ve found that writing alongside my students while teaching the writing…
Everyday Grammar
Is it possible to have everyday grammar? It probably is, but educators may need to have an honest discussion. This is my second discussion in the series Grammar Is Important.…
Grammar Is Important
Grammar is important – especially to gifted students. Are teachers cheating gifted students by ignoring grammar? Grammar is included in the common core so I teach it of course, and before…
“Multiple Choice” Isn’t a Dirty Phrase
I dislike all the testing my students march through, slug through, cry through. Much of the standardized testing is multiple choice, yet I believe “multiple choice” isn’t a dirty phrase.…
Improve Student Writing with Literature
Using mentor sentences from literature has improved student writing! A goal of any ELA teacher is to improve student writing. There is no magic answer, no one answer. My repertoire…
Bulletin Boards for High School Students
Making useful bulletin boards for high school students can be challenging. High school is a different land than lower grades. Students want to be recognized as almost adults. Since we…